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Limassol in November prepares for festive season with health & beauty and talking folklore

Nov 14, 2018

Six weeks to go and preparations for Christmas at Londa are already well underway! Once again, hotel guests can relax and celebrate all the way from Christmas Eve to New Year’s Day in true Mediterranean luxury style with one of our exclusive Christmas and New Year Gala Dinner Packages featuring a special 5 course or a La Carte menu. Londa’s very own Executive Chef, Vassos Michael, known as “the man behind the food” is quietly confident that this year’s menu is his best yet, and guests are assured the authentic ‘heavenly’ taste of a Londa Christmas in Limassol.

Authentic cultural moments

Just like the biblical wisemen, those “in the know” are drawn to the island where all the “signs” promise that a magical time is sure to unfold. But even before the festive season starts with the opening of the first Advent calendar door, the number of visitors is on the rise. In November 2017, nearly 145,000 people visited Cyprus compared to slightly over 124,000 in November 2016 – an increase of nearly 17 per cent. It’s also nearly double the 84,000 that arrived five years earlier in 2012. Limassol, itself, attracts up to 400,000 visitors, double the number of its inhabitants.

Surely one of the biggest reasons for the rise in Limassol’s popularity is that there are always authentic cultural moments to be encountered and enjoyed – even in November. While this year’s summer season may be over and the festive season shortly to kick off with the annual Christmas Wonderland in Old Port on 1st December, there’s still much for the cultural visitor to see and do…

Duelling poets

If you thought rap music was a relatively modern phenomenon, prepare to hear the original art of oral poetry between two duelling poets – first heard in the 8th century BC – at this year’s Folklore Symposium to be held at the Rialto Theatre, Limassol, Fri 16th November, 18:00.

Entitled “The Poetic Dialogues in the traditions of Cyprus, Karpathos, Kasos and Crete”, the 7th Annual Symposium will feature music and dance, as well as highlighting ”Tsiattista”- spoken improvisation in the Cypriot dialect between two singers who rhyme verse accompanied by violin and lute. Traditional forms of spoken insults include describing overweight opponents as “pregnant” and “no good”.

Classical scholars suggest that competitive oral poetry sprang from song contests held during religious festivals or during royal banquets of the ancient Homeric period. By the Middle Ages, the poet-singers known as “tsiattistes” could be heard far and wide. Today, this kind of singing, which is based on two 15-syllable rhyming verses, is usually only heard during special events such as wedding receptions, religious festivals, and local festivals. Favourite themes include heroism, wealth, poverty, the moon, the sun, the stars, the angels, paradise, and anything that makes a good impression. Many of the same timeless topics also covered by modern rap, quite coincidentally!

Health and Beauty Forum Autumn 2018

One topic forever linked with Cyprus is as the birthplace of the goddess, Aphrodite, and the concept of “beauty” and “life-giving” creativity. It’s hardly surprising that the island presents many health and beauty expos throughout the year and November sees the biggest event of its kind in Cyprus – Health and Beauty Forum Autumn 2018 – which will be held at the luxury Cruise Terminals of Limassol New Port on Sat 17 and Sun 18.

Up to 3,000 visitors previously attended the annual Vestnik Kipra Health & Beauty Forums, which is now also sponsored in association with Anthea by Stylianos Houvartos. More than 100 exhibitors presenting 200+ brands will take part in the expo, plus a busy programme comprising, 80 lectures, free shows, presentations, workshops, master-classes, competitions, sampling events and activities for children.

Utterly transform a woman’s look

One highlight of the 2-day event is a “Make-Up Show” expressly for all brides to-be. Make-up artists will create wedding make-up on stage and all models taking part in the ‘Brides’ Parade’ will not only walk on the runway but throughout the whole forum space.

Another event sure to gather keen interest is Project “Metamorphosis”, which aims to prove that any woman can be beautiful and self-confident. A team of professional beauty artists will demonstrate how new stylish clothes, hairstyle and makeup can utterly transform a woman’s look, self-esteem and the way she is perceived by others.

It’s another one of the big topics of the modern age – self-empowerment through holistic health and wellbeing. Not just getting “beach ready” during the summer but the whole year round. Especially during the tempting extravagances of Christmas. That’s why a stay at Londa before the Festive season is an opportunity to visit our own health and beauty spa. Our expert team of seven trained therapists are always on hand to help guests revitalise and rediscover their inner god or goddess – completing the ultimate experience of a Christmas and New Year in Londa – boutique, Mediterranean style!